There
is always a bigger picture than you and I anticipate surrounding every thing
God allows in our lives. I have not obsessed over having parasites, but
I must admit talking to others about it has been a bit uncomfortable,
concerned the other person will think it is much worse/gross than I do.
As usual, God just will not allow my mind to dwell there for very long.
There are few I have discussed this with and most are in the medical field in some
capacity themselves. Charles deals with parasites on a daily basis in
caring for animals, so our perspective is probably not necessarily the same as
others.
By the way, it was not easy to convince our family doctor and then the infectious disease doctor to follow through with all the testing for various parasites, "They are just so rare".
This morning, I have just taken the first round of
medication (3 large caplets) to rid my body of Schistosomiasis, tape
worms. I will do that again, later today. No, they have not found
them in my urine or my stools, but via a blood test, only, created
specifically for diagnosing them. I chose today, for the first round of
treatment, as the information surrounding the drug states "do not drive the
day of treatment and do not drive the day after, as it could impair thinking
and/or judgement". Since I am now interpreting everyday and in the
medical setting, no less, the weekend is the only reasonable time for me to do
this. Charles went to our family doctor on Wednesday for his annual
physical and told him of my diagnosis. He said, "Well, that's a first
for me!" He did tell Charles it was very possible the symptoms I have been
having, the hives and possibly the muscle pain, could be much worse during the
treatment. So, I have doubled my daily dose of Zyrtec to anticipate at
least the hives being worse. I repeat this treatment, one-day 2-dose, 2
- 4 weeks from now.
 |
| Fresh Water Snail |
"Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia or “snail fever”, is a
parasitic disease carried by fresh water snails infected with one of the
five varieties of the parasite Schistosoma. Found predominantly in
tropical and sub-tropical climates, Schistosomiasis infects 240 million
people in as many as 78 countries, with a vast majority of the burden
occurring in Africa. Schistosomiasis ranks second only to malaria as the
most common parasitic disease." (www.globalnetwork.org)
My
symptoms are not typical, gastro and/or urinary tract related, so there really
is no information out there for muscle infestation, other than to say they can
take up residence there "in rare cases". By the way, since the physical
therapy sessions before Christmas, for my chronic muscle pain in my arms and
hip, has not resulted in improvement, Charles and I now believe it is quite
possible the parasites are causing the muscle problems, as well. This week, was the fist
time I noticed the muscle pain flares as I interpret, but prior to this week I
had not noticed any pain during interpreting.
 |
| Schistosomiasis Distribution - Snail Fever |
As
I reread the definition of a parasite, the thought occurred to me that it
could be a very good thing for you and me to be considered a "parasite" of the
Word of God. Just suppose you and I were "parasites" of His Word. We
would be the ones reaping the great benefits of "living off" His Word (written
and living), receiving daily sustenance, food and water, and thriving. Truly living the "abundant life" God has promised us, right here on this earth.
Actually, as we study the scriptures it is fascinating to see some of the
wording God uses that seems to relate.
Jeremiah, God's prophet
proclaimed, "When Your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my
heart's delight, for I bear your name, LORD God Almighty." When
God called Ezekiel as His prophet this is what He said, "And He
said to me, “Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll; then go and
speak to the people of Israel.” So I opened my mouth,
and He gave me the scroll to eat. Then He said to me,
“Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it.”
So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my
mouth. He then said to me: “Son of man,
go now to the people of Israel and speak My words to them."
Then in John
chapter 7, "On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus
stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to Me
and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as Scripture has
said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”
By this He meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later
to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not
yet been glorified." And to the Samaritan woman at the well,
"Whoever drinks the water I give them will never
thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water
welling up to eternal life.”The woman said to him,
“Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming
here to draw water.”
Then in John 6, Jesus to the Jews, "Jesus said to them,
“Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and
drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever
eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up
at the last day. For My flesh is real
food and My blood is real drink. Whoever eats My
flesh and drinks My blood remains in Me, and I in them.
Just as the living Father sent Me and I live because of the
Father, so the one who feeds on Me will live because of Me.
This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate
manna and died, but whoever feeds on This bread will live forever.” This
particular statement is when many of Jesus' disciples/followers turned away
and no longer followed Him.
And in closing, at the Last Supper,
"While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when He had
given thanks, He broke it and gave it to His disciples, saying, “Take
and eat; this is My body.” Then he took a cup,
and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from
it, all of you. This is My blood of the covenant,
which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of
sins. I tell you, I will not drink
from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new
with you in My Father’s kingdom.”
If this is one way I can better identify with His precious deaf children living with parasites every day, with no means of diagnosis or medicine to rid their bodies of them, I pray I do not miss all He desires for me to learn in and through this experience.
Parasites
of the Word of God! Let's commit to "eat and drink" more of Jesus
in 2015, than ever before. Fascinating...isn't it?!?!
